1 Carat Old Miner Cut Diamond and Pearl Ring, circa 1880
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Pearl and diamond crossover ring. Old Miner cut diamond weighing 1.00 carats.
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Ring
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1 Carat Old Miner Cut Diamond and Pearl Ring, circa 1880
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Pearl and diamond crossover ring. Old Miner cut diamond weighing 1.00 carats.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1900s Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Pearl Ring with Scallop Prongs
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.2 grams Pearl Details: 8.19mm, Pinkish Luster, Oval shape Band Width: 1.80...
Yellow Gold
Natural Pearl Ring in 18k Yellow Gold, British Colonial Style, c. 1900
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
Proud to be presenting you with this rare and captivating Natural Pearl dress ring from the 1900’s, centering a baroque saltwater pearl measuring 16.7 by 13.5 millimeters.
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 14kt Gold Coral Cameo and Seed Pearl Ring, Circa 1860–1880
Located in Chesterland, OH
Weight: 4.3 grams. The ring remains in excellent antique condition, with no losses to the seed pearls and no visible damage to the coral.
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Ruby and Pearl Ring Hallmarked Birmingham Circa 1870
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Victorian Pearl & Ruby Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Circa 1870 Hallmarked Birmingham Crafted in solid 18ct gold, this ring features three pearls spaced evenly across the band, ...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
GIA Natural Saltwater Pearl Ring Antique Victorian Diamond 14k Gold Sz 6.5
Located in Torrance, CA
Distinct antique Victorian natural saltwater pearl & diamond ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,930Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Pearl Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.15 ct. The diamond is has G color and vvs-vs clarity. Totally is ruby 0.40 ct. Ring size is US 9 We can make a...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Turquoise Pearl Ring 14 Karat Gold Antique Engagement
Located in New York, NY
The combination of Diamond, Pearls and Turquoise in this beautifully made ring is an absolute delight.
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18ct Rose Gold Edwardian Clover Crossover Ruby Diamond Sapphire Seed Pearl Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Set with Ruby, Diamond & Sapphire & a Natural Seed Pearl Crossover. Height of The Ring Measures Approx 11.5mm UK Size R US Size 8 3/4 Can be resized using our resizing service, ...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique French 18k solid yellow Gold Pearl Ring, Art Nouveau Floral Past Present
Located in Antwerp, BE
This marvellous floral ring is made in 18 K solid yellow gold and decorated with three little pearls and two elegant white coloured leafs.
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Diamond Pearl Ring 10k Rose Gold Sz 5 Blue Enamel Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian diamond & seed pearl blue enamel ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 10 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
$1,053Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1920s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Sapphire Pearl Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.1 grams. Totally is sapphire 0.20 ct. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.10 ct. Ring size is US 8 We can make any size. Please contact for any qu...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Art Deco Rose Cut Diamond Pearl Ring And Pin 18K Antique Wedding Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
The magnificent ring is set with a central White Pearl of 10mm in diameter.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 15ct Gold 1920s Oval Onyx & Pearl Ring with an Onyx Teardrop Halo
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Onyx Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Circa 1920s This stunning 15ct gold ring from the 1920s features an onyx centre stone adorned with three bezel-set natural seed pearls and a ...
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Edwardian 1910 Natural pearl Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold With 1.36 Ctw In Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Edwardian ring with diamonds and natural pearl. A beautiful ring from the Belle Epoque period, created during the Edwardian period, back in the 1910.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold...
$1,887Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Pearl Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.5 grams. Totally is diamond 1 carat. The diamond is has H-I-J color and vs-s1. Ring size is US 5.5. We can make any size. Box is not includ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 14 Karat Rose Gold and 1.0 Carat Double Sapphire and Seed Pearl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique 14 Karat Rose Gold and 1.0 Carat Double Sapphire and Seed Pearl Moi et Toi Ring Size 6.5 - sizable c.1900
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Edwardian Diamond Pearl Ring Moi et Toi 18k Gold Silver Topped Jewelry 9
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Edwardian diamond & pearl 'moi et toi' ring crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1910s).
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
$11,040Sale Price|20% Off
18K YG and WG GIA Certified Natural Pearl Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
18K yellow gold and white gold diamond GIA certified natural pearl ring with 30 old European cut, round cut and single cut diamonds approximate 1.44 carats in G-H color VS-SI clarity...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Art Deco Diamond Pearl Ring Moi et Toi 14k Gold Sz 9 Engagement Band
Located in Torrance, CA
Two cultured pearls measure 4mm each. The distinct and stylish ring is a nice example of Art Deco era jewelry.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Baroque Diamond And Pearl Ring, 18 Carat Gold, Rose-cut Diamonds, Late 19th Cent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ring in 18-carat yellow gold , set with baroque pearls and rose-cut diamonds, in the spirit of “toi et moi”, late 19th century Napoleon III total weight: 4.05 grams. size: 58 free si...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Platinum Natural Pearl Diamond Ring, GIA
Located in New York, NY
The natural pearl ring is framed by a coronet of old European and old mine-cut diamonds.
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet pearl ring holds six pearls and above and below this row are old mine cut diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Pearl & Diamond Solitaire Platinum Ring GIA
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving this vintage pearl ring! She would make for a very unique engagement ring!!
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Edwardian Natural Saltwater Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a French Edwardian 18ct white gold, diamond and natural pearl ring. The ring features a large certified natural saltwater pearl flanked by two rose cut diamonds on either sid...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold
14 Karat Pearl Gold Claw Set Ring 1890s
Located in Wallkill, NY
14K gold set 9.38 mm Pearl Ring Elaborate Claw setting, Size 6 and can be sized by you or our jeweler.
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Victorian Natural Pearl & Kyanite Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A handmade original victorian period Kyanite, and natural pearl ring in 14 karat yellow gold. Centered by a 1.20 carat rich velvety blue oval cut Kyanite and encircled by fourteen na...
Natural Pearl, Kyanite, Yellow Gold
Antique Natural Blister Pearl and 0.13 Carat Diamond Platinum Ring Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, antique natural blister pearl and 0.13 carat diamond, platinum dress ring; part of our pearl jewelry collections.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Victorian Turquoise and Pearl Infinity Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a charming Victorian turquoise and pearl ring. The ring is set with a centre pearl flanked by two turquoise stones in an infinity motif.
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Edwardian Turquoise & Pearl Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Turquoise and Pearl Ring Hallmarked 15ct Circa 1900 Antique Edwardian turquoise and pearl ring, crafted circa 1900 and hallmarked 15ct gold.
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Vintage Turquoise and Pearl 18 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The chunky gold band holds three turquoise stones and three pearls. Ring Size: N 1/2 or 7 Band width: 6mm Weight: 6.1g
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Antique 1.15 Carat Diamond and Pearl Cocktail Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The pearl ring is a very good gauge of gold and is in excellent condition.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Silver Gold Ring Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautifully hand crafted Diamond and Pearl Ring combines classic Edwardian style with the symmetry of Art Deco.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Natural Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique 18K and silver and natural pearl ring. The pearl measures 4.83 mm., and is natural, as opposed to cultured and very slightly out of round.
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
1871 Antique Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine antique cocktail ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The impressive Victorian seed pearl ring has a shaped, flush setting which displays ten seed pearls in a double ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French Pearl and Diamond and Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This pearl ring with diamonds is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 9ct Gold, Victorian Pearl & Enamel Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pearl Ring 9ct Gold This charming Victorian ring centres a deep, glossy enamel panel framed by a halo of natural seed pearls, each one delicately set to create a soft, lum...
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1910 Art Nouveau Natural Pearl Long 3 Stone Dinner Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Condition: Very good Era: Art Nouveau Year: 1910 Metal: 10 Karat gold with 18k shank Gemstone: 1 Natural Mississippi River Pearl 2 Cultured Saltwater pearls Graded by GIA standards...
Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, 10k Gold, Gold
Antique Blue Enamel and 9 Gold 'REGARD' Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
At the centre of the cluster there is a seed pearl. Ring Size: L or 5 3/4 Cluster diameter: 11mm Weight: 4g
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Pearl Five Stone Filigree Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Pearl Five Stone Filigree Ring. This beautiful natural pearl ring is crafted in platinum.
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Edwardian Certified 8.5 mm. Natural Pearl 1.35 Ct Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This fabulous antique Edwardian period Diamond & Pearl ring is the epitome of eternal elegance Dated 1910 circa, hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold platinum topped Floret daisy shape i...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 9ct Gold, Victorian Pearl & Garnet Cluster Ring, Engraved 1861
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Garnet Pearl Ring 9ct Gold The engraving reads: J H J A Aug 7th 1861 A charming Victorian ring crafted in 9ct gold, centred with a garnet framed by eleven pearls in a cl...
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Victorian Ring with coral and pearls 14k gold 12.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ring with a coral cut into a woman's head and pearls - ring size US 10.5 - EU 20.25 (64) Detailed description The top of the ring is oval, 3.3 cm by 2.2 cm wide and...
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold
15ct Gold Victorian Garnet & Seed Pearl Triple Row Ring With Scrolled Shoulders
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Garnet & Pearl Ring 15ct Gold Hallmarked Birmingham 1872 Pretty, Victorian triple row ring.
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
1920s 0.54 Carat Diamond and Pearl 14k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.54 carat diamond and pearl, 14 karat yellow gold and platinum set cocktail ring; part of our vintage pearl and diamond ring collections.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Victorian Natural Pearl 1.90 Ct. Old Mine Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
A distinctive Victorian Diamond Natural pearl ring, 1890/1900 ca Hand crafted of solid 18 KT gold topped by Platinum Understated design, comprising three rows of gemstones set betwee...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique American 14K Rolled Gold Rectangular Shell Cameo Ring with Seed Pearls
Located in Honolulu, HI
The substantial 14K gold layering provides the rich, authentic luster of solid gold with exceptional durability, preserving the ring's classical beauty for over a century. The centra...
Pearl, 14k Gold
French 20th Century Mabé Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Small time stamp on the top of the pearl. Our opinion : A classic, timeless antique pearl ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Fine Pearl Diamonds Yellow gold Platinum Marquise Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 Karats yellow gold and platinum. Antique marquise ring, slightly elongated in shape and set in the center with a fine button pearl surrounded by antique cushion-cut diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Yellow Gold
French 1920s Art Deco Cultured Pearl Diamonds Platinum Domed Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Our opinion : This Art Deco diamond-pearl ring is perfectly suited to a slender hand.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
0.76 Carat Natural Pearl and Diamond 14K Gold Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Allow us to introduce you to the Old Mine Cut Diamond and Pearls Ring, a veritable manifestation of your most cherished ring fantasies.
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
French 19th Century Natural Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Double Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Charming antique ring, it is formed of a double flat ring, each one decorated on the front of 3 half pearls and rose- cut diamonds in geometrical setting.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Art Deco 1.27 Carat Diamond and Pearl White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive Art Deco antique pearl ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Antique Victorian 9K Gold Amethyst and Seed Pearl Cluster Ring, England
Located in Honolulu, HI
[DETAILS] • Origin: England • Era: Late Victorian (circa 1890–1900) • Style: Classical Victorian Cluster • Material: 9K Yellow Gold • Main Stone: Oval-cut Faceted Amethyst (Soft Viol...
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold
Antique Victorian 14k Rosegold Garnet and Seed Pearl ring and Hair pendant
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Exceptional 19th Century Memorial Jewelry Set with Hairwork, Garnets and Seed Pearls An exquisite and rare 19th century memorial jewelry ensemble, consisting of a ring and a matchin...
Gold
19th Century Duo Mabé Pearls Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Slender, this antique Toi et Moi ring is adorned with two Mabé pearls that overhang a decoration of small leaves each set with rose-cut diamonds.
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Natural Pearl 0.12 Carat Ruby 0.59 Carat Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Edwardian pearl, 0.12 carat ruby and 0.59 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set marquise shaped dress ring; part of our diverse...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.